GPs sought to work in ambulance call centre

David Sedgwick

GPs are being sought to work with the ambulance service to help reduce the demand on the emergency care system.

North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) has made the offer to General Practitioners for the chance to work within its clinical hub.

The clinical hub provides enhanced clinical support to call handlers and patients.

NEAS is now expanding this service to offer 111 patients the support of a GP to provide professional advice over the phone, resulting in the potential to decrease the demand on the emergency, primary and secondary services.

Officials say it will give GPs the chance to develop their skills and influence the development of the region’s urgent and emergency care re-design.

GPs in the hub will work collaboratively with a range of healthcare professionals including nurses, paramedics and advanced practitioners.

GP Dr Mathew Beattie, urgent care medical director at NEAS, said: “This expansion will give GPs the opportunity to work with paramedics, nurses and a range of healthcare professionals outside of the normal GP environment to share learning and experiences.

“Having GPs in our Operations Centre has the potential to offer a much smoother experience to healthcare over the telephone or referral to another NHS provider in a timely manner.

“The future of urgent and emergency care is in greater integration of skills and services, like this.“

The GP service will be available to patients in the out of hours period with NEAS looking for GPs who can support them weeknight evenings, overnight and at weekends.

Dr Beattie added: “As a regional provider, NEAS is at the heart of implementing the urgent and emergency care review, working in close partnership with the wider NHS across the North East to deliver a seamless urgent and emergency care service.